557 votes separated the camps in this city: "I said on the holiday that I wouldn't vote Likud. The family understood"
A magazine article examining voting patterns in Kiryat Bialik, a city split 50:50 between the political camps, ahead of the 2026 elections. The reporter speaks with residents on both sides of the political divide: staunch Likud supporters, undecided left-wing voters, and disillusioned Likud voters considering switching camps. Key issues include trust in leadership, responsibility for the October 7 disaster, ultra-Orthodox conscription, and the Jewish character of the state.
A ynet magazine article examines voting patterns in Kiryat Bialik, a city almost exactly split 50:50 between the political camps. In the last elections, only 557 votes separated coalition bloc voters (10,663) from opposition bloc voters (11,220). The reporter speaks with residents on both sides of the political divide, three years after October 7, the judicial overhaul, and the social rift. On the right, David, Odem, and Yafit declare absolute loyalty to Netanyahu. They reject any leadership responsibility for the October 7 disaster and claim "terrible betrayal" by other parties. Odem attributes the massacre to "baseless hatred" and fate. For them, there is no alternative to Netanyahu. On the other side, Natalie, who previously voted for Labor, considered moving right after October 7 but decided to vote for the Democrats. Igor, a Liberman supporter, describes coalition supporters as "brainwashed." Between the camps are disillusioned Likud voters. Gabi Weinbloom, a longtime Likudnik, told his family during the holiday that he would no longer vote Likud, and the family understood. Anat Keshet, whose husband has been serving in reserves for three years, says she cannot continue voting for Netanyahu and demands an equal conscription law. Alon Aviaor, a former Likud voter, states that anyone connected to October 7 should go home.